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Will My FERS Pension Be Affected By My Drawing Social Security Retirement Or Disability Benefits?

In 1998, I left the US Postal Service under approved disability and began receiving a check as a disability annuitant. This year, I applied for social security early retirement (age 62). During my application process, I was contacted by a Social Security representative, who was able to view my online application, as I was completing it. The representative asked why I wasn’t also applying for social security disability, (since based on my answers under the medical questions, it was apparent that I was disabled).
I explained that I was already receiving disability from the postal service and as I stated on my application, I thought that I couldn’t apply or have both. I was advised to apply for social security disability, and I asked if that would affect my disability from the postal service. She asked if I were under FERS or CSRS; I replied FERS. She said it would not be affected, so I applied.
In September, I was awarded social security early retirement (First check in October) and my social security disability application is being processed. My FERS disability annuity was recomputed/adjusted on 8/28/17 because I turned 62 on that date.

My questions: The letter explaining the adjustment in my FERS disability annuity states that I need to inform OPM if I become eligible to receive social security benefits. Will my disability retirement under FERS be reduced by: 1) My early retirement social security check? 2) My social security disability check, if approved?

It seems that I would be penalized significantly for applying for social security disability, should I pull the application before a decision is made?

Hi,

I'm sorry, but I'm not an expert on FERS so I really can't answer your question. I don't think it would matter to FERS whether you receive either Social Security retirement or disability benefits, but you should check with the people at OPM to be sure.

Best, Jerry

Category: 
Posted: 
Oct 12 2017 - 2:54pm
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